Coach Kim Hyung Tak believes India is poised to make history by clinching its first-ever Olympic medal in archery at the upcoming Paris Games. Despite India's past struggles to reach the podium, Coach Kim is optimistic about their chances this time around.
In the previous Olympic editions between 2004 and 2020, India's men's, women's, and mixed teams managed to reach the quarter-finals six times but fell short of securing a medal. However, the recent success of Dhiraj Bommadevara in earning a quota place for India in archery for the Paris Games, along with the impressive performance of recurve archers, has bolstered hopes.
A notable achievement was when Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav clinched a World Cup team gold last month by defeating reigning Olympic champions South Korea. Coach Kim attributes this success to the improved skill level of the team, as well as the frequent coaching camps and collaborative efforts.
Coach Kim conducted a special session with Deepika Kumari, a three-time Olympian who recently won a silver medal in the World Cup in Shanghai. He commended the mix of experienced players like Deepika and Tarundeep guiding the young archers, which he sees as crucial for team building and preparation for the Paris Games.
Impressed by the training facilities at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat, Coach Kim highlighted the use of advanced technology in crafting training programs, which he believes has contributed to the elevation of the team's performance. With a blend of experience and youth, Coach Kim sees a bright future for Indian archery.
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